logo
Leading Private Healthcare Group Akdital Expands Presence in Morocco

Leading Private Healthcare Group Akdital Expands Presence in Morocco

Morocco World11-04-2025
Groupe Akdital, a private clinic company, has opened 12 new healthcare facilities in Morocco in the last year, nearly tripling its total establishments across the country.
The group currently has locations in Khouribga, Marrakech, Essaouira, Tetouan, Errachidia, Taroudant, Dakhla, Kenitra, Benguerir and Meknes, with over 3,500 doctors and 3,700 hospital beds, according to Akdital's presentation of 2024 results. Throughout last year, the group admitted over 670,000 patient cases and recorded a 96.7% patient satisfaction rate.
Urban populations tend to have more access to care in Morocco, says a recent study by the United States National Institute of Health, noting that Morocco's primary healthcare challenge is to address disparities between urban and rural areas. This disparity especially affects the quality of equipment, infrastructure and specialist care available to Moroccans.
After publishing its 2024 annual results, Akdital also shared its plan for 2025-2030 which includes advancing its quality and practice to curb this issue especially in less urban areas.
Akdital's overall goal is to 'consolidate [its] position as a benchmark in Morocco by providing access to quality healthcare to all Moroccans, in a responsible and sustainable manner, while initiating [its] international influence,' says the document.
Akdital's Expansion Plan
By 2027, Akdital plans to have 62 establishments and over 6000 hospital beds in 32 different cities in Morocco. For each Akdital hospital, the group will identify 4 to 5 small towns within a radius of 100 km to open an Akdital diagnostic center.
Rural populations often face difficulties in obtaining timely diagnoses and treatments, leading to delays in care that can worsen health outcomes. This gap is exacerbated by the concentration of healthcare professionals in cities, leaving smaller towns and villages with limited access to skilled medical personnel.
Akdital's goal is to open 200 of these diagnostic centers by 2030, providing a new way of bringing medical diagnoses closer to populations who live far from urban centers. This initiative will strengthen Akdital's regional services and provide medical support to underserved communities.
To further enhance its medical services in Morocco, Akdital has embraced technological innovation and modernized its operations. This includes digitizing medical records and introducing state-of-the-art surgical robotics to enable more precise, less invasive procedures.
Akdital is also prioritizing its operational efficiency with a strong focus on improving the patient experience. Efforts include maintaining high standards of quality and hygiene and placing the patient at the center of care. The group is implementing patient satisfaction surveys, qualitative monitoring, and a patient-centered approach to medicine.
Lastly, the group has laid out plans to strengthen its community impact. This includes reducing energy consumption, minimizing its carbon footprint, and improving the management of medical waste. Through the Akdital Foundation, the group also provides healthcare access to vulnerable populations and supports local socio-economic initiatives.
Read also: Moroccan Healthcare Group Akdital Boosts Public Share Capital to $110 Million
Akdital is further strengthening its workforce through the launch of the Akdital Academy, which will provide professional development programs in both paramedical and administrative fields. Additionally, the group is enhancing its human resources services and introducing new employee incentives aimed at boosting performance and productivity.
Akdital's next step involves its international expansion into the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia between 2025 and 2030. The group has notably outlined plans to open two establishments in Dubai and another Emirate and two in Riyadh and Jeddah.
As Akdital continues to expand within Morocco and abroad, its investments in infrastructure, personnel training, and digital innovation signal a broader strategy to position itself as a competitive healthcare provider in both regional and international markets.
With its sights set on the Gulf region, the group's upcoming projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia mark the beginning of a new phase that could extend its healthcare model beyond Moroccan borders.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Morocco Accelerates Nationwide Expansion of Social Protection for Millions of Citizens
Morocco Accelerates Nationwide Expansion of Social Protection for Millions of Citizens

Morocco World

time4 days ago

  • Morocco World

Morocco Accelerates Nationwide Expansion of Social Protection for Millions of Citizens

Rabat – Morocco's sweeping social protection reform has positioned the country on a transformative path toward a more inclusive and equitable welfare system, according to Hassan Boubrik, Director General of the National Social Security Fund ( CNSS ). In an exclusive interview with MAP, Boubrik praised the initiative as a 'historic leap' in achieving the vision of King Mohammed VI to build a robust social state. 'The generalization of Compulsory Health Insurance (AMO) has allowed millions of Moroccans—regardless of their status—to access healthcare services with dignity and fairness,' Boubrik said. Prior to the reform launched in 2021, only 40% of Moroccans had health coverage. Today, nearly the entire population is covered, including self-employed workers, beneficiaries of AMO TADAMON (formerly RAMED), and others previously left out. This expansion raised the number of insured individuals from 8 million to nearly 25 million in just a few years. The volume of daily processed claims has also grown significantly, from 20,000 to over 110,000. Boubrik emphasized that this reform has not only broadened access but also harmonized benefits. 'Every Moroccan now receives the same care package and reimbursement rates, regardless of their employment or income level,' he noted. The AMO TADAMON program alone covers 11 million people whose contributions are paid by the state. Beneficiaries can now access healthcare in both public and private facilities, while preserving the right to free care in public hospitals. Social Support and Technological Tools The CNSS Director also highlighted the role of direct financial aid to support low-income households, which now reaches 3.8 million families. He credited the Unified Social Registry (RSU) with improving the targeting and efficiency of these programs, calling it a 'crucial and effective mechanism.' Digital platforms like TAAWIDATY and Damancom have been deployed to streamline citizen services, improving access and processing for both individuals and businesses. Despite the successes, Boubrik acknowledged that several challenges remain. Chief among them is ensuring regular contributions from self-employed workers. Out of 1.7 million principal contributors in this group, only 550,000 are currently up to date on their payments. 'This situation creates a risk of anti-selection, where only those in need of care contribute, threatening the system's sustainability,' he warned. Nonetheless, Boubrik noted progress: the contribution rate has risen from 21% to over 42% in less than a year, driven by awareness campaigns and new legal tools. Ensuring Sustainability and Cost Control As demand for healthcare services grows, the CNSS is also focusing on containing costs without compromising quality. Boubrik stressed the need for reform across multiple fronts: lowering medicine prices, enforcing treatment protocols, promoting prevention, and combating fraud. He also emphasized the central role of public hospitals in the national health strategy. 'With significant investments in infrastructure and personnel, the public sector must lead healthcare delivery. It also helps contain costs, given its lower pricing compared to the private sector,' he added. Boubrik concluded by outlining two major reforms set for completion by the end of 2025: unemployment insurance and expanded retirement benefits. 'The government is actively working to meet these deadlines, which are critical to strengthening Morocco's social safety net,' he confirmed. He also announced the upcoming launch of an electronic medical claim system, set to pilot later this year. This innovation aims to simplify procedures for insured individuals and shorten reimbursement timelines. Tags: CNSShealth insuranceMorocco Health Insurance

‘My Brother Didn't Choose to be Trisomic': ‘Pieces of Heaven' Face School Rejection in Morocco
‘My Brother Didn't Choose to be Trisomic': ‘Pieces of Heaven' Face School Rejection in Morocco

Morocco World

time5 days ago

  • Morocco World

‘My Brother Didn't Choose to be Trisomic': ‘Pieces of Heaven' Face School Rejection in Morocco

Marrakech – In Morocco's educational system – already ranked among the lowest globally – thousands of children with Trisomy 21 exist in silence. These children – described by their families as 'pieces of heaven' with pure hearts and untapped intelligence – struggle daily against a system that refuses to see them. Each year, approximately 600 Moroccan newborns enter the world with this chromosomal condition, joining an estimated 60,000 Moroccans already living with what medical professionals call Down syndrome. Behind these numbers lie shattered dreams, exhausted parents, and children desperate for the most basic right: an education. Trisomy 21 occurs when a child is born with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two, causing developmental delays and distinctive physical characteristics. The condition is not hereditary, appearing as a chromosomal accident during pregnancy. While these children possess extraordinary affection and unique intelligence, their primary obstacle often isn't their condition – it's society's response to it. According to medical experts, Trisomy 21 represents the most common genetic disease, affecting approximately one in every thousand births in Morocco. At birth, about 40% of these children have detectable cardiac abnormalities that require immediate intervention from neonatal intensive care specialists, cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons to ensure survival during the early stages of life. The condition was first described in 1862 by British physician John Langdon Down, who initially called it 'Mongolism' or 'Mongolian idiocy' and characterized it as a form of mental disability. Today, medical understanding has evolved significantly, with specialists recognizing that these children have specific cognitive disorders that can be addressed through therapy. Education: A constitutional right denied Morocco's 2011 Constitution explicitly states: 'Basic education is a right for children and an obligation for families and the state.' Yet for Trisomy 21 children, this constitutional guarantee remains hollow. As is often the case in the North African country, the issue is not about the availability of laws and judicial texts but about their application. Framework Law 51.17 on the education, training, and scientific research system in Morocco, along with a new government decree (No. 2.21.81) based on Article 13 of this framework law, requires private schools to allocate 15% of their capacity to students from disadvantaged families, persons with disabilities, and those in special social situations. This situation leads to a burning question: Why doesn't the Ministry of National Education establish an admission quota for children with special needs in private schools to ensure their integration and support? Schools across the country – particularly those of higher reputation – routinely slam their doors in these children's faces, treating them as if they were 'extraterrestrials' or 'monsters' who would disrupt normal classroom functioning. The bitter reality facing these families hits hardest when they begin their search for educational opportunities. Schools openly admit they prefer children with dyslexia or autism 'because they can follow regular courses,' leaving Trisomy 21 children with nowhere to go. Parents find themselves trapped in an endless cycle of rejection, forced to place their children in inappropriate environments where they often regress rather than progress. The National Human Development Initiative (INDH) centers – intended to serve people with special needs – frequently fail these children by grouping all disabilities together without differentiation. Children of various ages, needs, and behavioral profiles are mixed haphazardly, sometimes resulting in Trisomy 21 children returning home injured or adopting negative behaviors they never displayed before. For families fortunate enough to find appropriate schooling, the cost becomes another insurmountable barrier. The minimum monthly expense for proper medical care and education reaches MAD 2,500 ($250) per child – an impossible sum for many Moroccan families, especially considering that the average monthly wage hovers around MAD 3,000 ($300). This financial burden continues throughout the child's life, as they require lifelong medical attention and support. Beyond education, these children need access to various therapeutic services that many consider luxuries rather than necessities. Activities like swimming and music – critical for their development – are often dismissed as frivolous by officials, despite being essential components of treatment for these children. The United Nations recognized the importance of this issue in 2011 by adopting a resolution declaring March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day, calling on all member states to raise public awareness about the condition. 'They are not Moroccans?': One sister breaks her silence The sister of an 18-year-old with Trisomy 21 decided to speak out after witnessing her family's decade-long struggle to secure her brother's education. The young man – described as calm, wise, organized, and possessing 'a form of incredible intelligence' – faces a bleak future after his school announced its bankruptcy and closure with no alternative solution for its special needs students. 'When searching for a school for my brother in El Jadida, we faced a painful reality,' Zaïnab Lyassaa, whose family learned of her brother's condition on the day of his birth, tells Morocco World News (MWN). 'My brother didn't choose to be trisomic or to have difficulty speaking… These children are angels among us, with pure hearts and intelligence waiting to be revealed – if only someone would give them a chance.' 'From the moment of his birth, we accepted him with joy,' Zaïnab recalls. 'He truly felt like a gift. But deep down, we worried about his integration into society.' Her mother devoted herself entirely to her son, following up with speech therapists and working tirelessly on his development – even while battling cancer in 2013. 'Now she worries constantly about his future,' Zaïnab reveals. 'Who will take care of him if something happens to her?' 'When schools tell us they only accept dyslexic or autistic children, I have to ask: aren't Trisomy 21 children Moroccan too? Don't they have the right to education?' she questions with palpable frustration. 'Why doesn't the government require every educational institution to accept children with special needs of all types, integrating them into regular classrooms while also providing specialized support?' Her brother's journey reveals the painful cycle many families endure. After years in the same kindergarten class with no advancement, his family found a promising school – Shiraz educational institution – that provided both integration with regular students and specialized support classes. For the first time, he felt 'like a student among others,' not different from his peers. Despite being 18, he had just completed his first year of middle school, progressing gradually with targeted exams adapted to his level. 'He had his world, but overnight he saw it collapse,' his sister reveals, describing the moment they learned his school would close. 'And now we're back to our starting point from 2010. Where will my brother go?' The family's early experiences trying to find appropriate schooling proved traumatic. 'We tried a regular private school that functioned more like a daycare to establish a routine for him,' Zaïnab explains. 'But there was no progress because they lacked expertise in supporting these children.' Later attempts at specialized centers proved even worse. 'He would come back either beaten or assaulted and began adopting behaviors he never had before. We saw deterioration instead of improvement.' The family's desperation echoes that of countless others across Morocco. Most initiatives for Trisomy 21 children exist only in major cities like Casablanca and Rabat, forcing families to uproot their lives and relocate simply to access basic services. Those in small towns and rural areas face even grimmer prospects. 'These children are pieces of heaven given extraordinary abilities and a special kind of intelligence by God,' Zaïnab insists. 'Why do we hold them accountable for something they didn't control? Why don't we support them and help them achieve their dreams?' 'Without their families, there's no one to care for them,' she stresses. 'I can't find appropriate words to describe this situation, especially knowing my brother's case is just one among many. How is it possible that in 2025 Morocco, we find a group of Moroccans with marginalized rights?' Her brother dreams of traveling alone, driving a car, and working – aspirations she fears may never materialize. 'It breaks my heart that my brother has dreams,' Zaïnab confesses, 'but deep inside, I know he won't be able to achieve them. What about children whose parents don't have health coverage or stable employment? What about those in villages and small cities?' 'We're asking for so little,' she continues. 'When even education becomes a dream that's difficult to achieve, we must ask questions and raise concerns.' Experts confirm the current situation is 'not optimal' for Trisomy 21 children. While medical advances have extended their life expectancy beyond 50 years, specialized structures for their education remain very rare, leaving parents in regrettable distress. Yet amid this institutional abandonment, hope persists in the determined voices of families fighting for change. In one of her LinkedIn posts chronicling her family's struggle, Zaïnab concludes with words that balance desperation and determination: 'Perhaps this post will resonate, perhaps it will touch someone who can enlighten us or even help us find a new school. In the meantime, I continue to believe that a more inclusive Morocco is possible.' Tags: down syndromeMorocco's educational systemTrisomic children

Morocco Expands Social Protection Coverage to Over 11 Million Citizens
Morocco Expands Social Protection Coverage to Over 11 Million Citizens

Morocco World

time16-07-2025

  • Morocco World

Morocco Expands Social Protection Coverage to Over 11 Million Citizens

Rabat — More than 11.4 million Moroccan citizens now receive basic mandatory health insurance for people unable to pay contributions, Morocco's head of government Aziz Akhannouch announced Tuesday. Speaking during an oral questions session at the House of Advisors Akhannouch said that over 4 million households — representing more than 11.4 million people — benefit from the AMO-Tadamon program as of June 2025. The program provides free healthcare and hospitalization at public facilities, and the same services offered by the National Social Security Fund when households choose private establishments. The government covers contribution payments for these households at MAD 9.5 billion ($ 1.05 billion) annually to ensure the program's sustainability. Health insurance coverage among Moroccans jumped from 42.2% before the program launched to 88% currently. The prime minister also reported that nearly 4 million households received direct social aid by the end of April, covering 12 million people. He outlined that recipients include 5.5 million children, over one million people aged 60 and above, and more than 420,000 widows, including nearly 340,000 without children. Total aid distributed through the program exceeds MAD 34 billion ($ 3.75 billion) since its launch. Speaking of social protection spending, Akhannouch said it will reach MAD 39 billion ($ 4.3 billion) in 2025 and over MAD 41 billion ($ 4.53 billion) in 2026, up from approximately MAD 32 billion ($ 3.53 billion) in 2024. The government expanded retirement plan enrollment to guarantee professional and social futures for active workers and will implement unemployment compensation for employed workers before the end of this year to ensure their social and economic stability, he noted. Healthcare and education investments Morocco launched comprehensive health system reforms to strengthen sector efficiency and improve medical care nationwide. The health budget increased 65% from MAD 19.7 billion ($ 2.17 billion) in 2021 to MAD 32.6 billion ($ 3.6 billion) in 2025, the head of government said. For education, the government is implementing the 2022-2026 education reform roadmap, allocating over MAD 85 billion ($ 9.39 billion) for 2025 with an additional MAD 9.5 billion ($ 1.04 billion) planned annually through 2027, he noted. Wage increases The government approved significant salary increases for approximately 4.25 million citizens — 1.25 million civil servants and 3 million private sector employees — at a total cost exceeding MAD 45 billion ($ 4.97 billion) through 2026. The increases include a general salary raise of MAD 1,000 ($ 110.5)net monthly in two stages, a 15% increase in the minimum wage for non-agricultural activities, and higher minimum wages for agricultural workers. Akhannouch stressed that strengthening social state foundations represents a political and strategic choice the government prioritized from the beginning of its mandate, reflecting King Mohammed VI's ambitious social project for a modern social state that guarantees all Moroccans' right to decent living. Tags: health insuranceMoroccoSocial coverage protection

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store